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Invited Review: The use of electrical stimulation to enhance recovery following peripheral nerve injury
Invited Review: The use of electrical stimulation to enhance recovery following peripheral nerve injury
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Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury is common and can have devastating consequences. In severe cases, functional recovery is often poor despite surgery. This is primarily due to the exceedingly slow rate of nerve regeneration at only 1–3 mm/day. The local environment in the distal nerve stump supportive of nerve regrowth deteriorates over time and the target end organs become atrophic. To overcome these challenges, investigations into treatments capable of accelerating nerve regrowth are of great clinical relevance and are an active area of research. One intervention that has shown great promise is perioperative electrical stimulation. Postoperative stimulation helps to expedite the Wallerian degeneration process and reduces delays caused by staggered regeneration at the site of nerve injury. By contrast, preoperative “conditioning” stimulation increases the rate of nerve regrowth along the nerve trunk. Over the past two decades, a rich body of literature has emerged that provides molecular insights into the mechanism by which electrical stimulation impacts nerve regeneration. The end result is upregulation of regeneration-associated genes in the neuronal body and accelerated transport to the axon front for regrowth. The efficacy of brief electrical stimulation on patients with peripheral nerve injuries was demonstrated in a number of randomized controlled trials on compressive, transection and traction injuries. As approved equipment to deliver this treatment is becoming available, it may be feasible to deploy this novel treatment in a wide range of clinical settings.


Objectives:
1) Understand the pathophysiology of peripheral nerve regeneration following injury in order to make data-driven diagnostic and therapeutic decisions regarding management of patients with nerve injuries; 2) be able to incorporate knowledge of the mechanisms of perioperative electrical stimulation into an understanding of their use in enhancing nerve recovery following injury; 3) understand how conditioning and postoperative electrical stimulation may both play roles in enhancing nerve recovery in future clinical practice.


ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
The AANEM is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.


CREDIT DESIGNATION
The AANEM designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FORMAT
PDF
Author
Paige B. Hardy BSc; Bonnie Y. Wang BSc; K. Ming Chan MD, FRCPC; Christine A. Webber PhD; Jenna-Lynn B. Senger MD, PhD, FRCSC
Summary
Availability: On-Demand
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Credit Offered:
1 CME Credit
1 CEU Credit


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